Surgery 101: Rationale behind wisdom tooth removal

The third molars aka “wisdom teeth” begin to develop in the back of the mouth, behind the other two sets of molars. They continue to develop. when there is not enough room for a wisdom tooth to fully emerge, it is called “impacted.” 9 out of 10 people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. The third molars continue to grow. We recommend they be evaluated by the time a patient is a young adult. If impacted teeth are left in the mouth, they can damage adjacent teeth or become infected.

It’s easier to remove wisdom teeth when a patient is younger, since roots are not completely formed, surrounding bone is softer, and there is less change of damaging nearby nerves.

When to see a dentist

You should make an appointment to see your dentist if you’re experiencing severe pain or discomfort from your wisdom teeth. We will check your teeth and advise you on whether they need to be removed.

Removal of wisdom teeth.

Why are wisdom teeth removed?

Your wisdom teeth don’t usually need to be removed if they’re impacted but aren’t causing any problems. This is because there’s no proven benefit of doing this and it carries the risk of complications.

Sometimes, wisdom teeth that have become impacted or haven’t fully broken through the surface of the gum can cause dental problems. Food and bacteria can get trapped around the edge of the wisdom teeth, causing a build-up of plaque, which can lead to:

I. tooth decay (dental caries) – this develops when plaque begins to break down the surface of your tooth. When tooth decay becomes more advanced, it leaves holes (cavities) in the tooth, which can affect the surrounding teeth.
II. gum disease (also called gingivitis or periodontal disease) – this occurs when plaque releases toxins (poisons) that irritate your gums, making them red, swollen and painful. Gum disease can also affect the surrounding teeth and the bone around the wisdom teeth.
III. pericoronitis – when plaque causes an infection of the soft tissue that surrounds the tooth.
IV. cellulitis – a bacterial infection in the cheek, tongue or throat.
V. abscess – when pus collects in your wisdom teeth or the surrounding tissue due to a bacterial infection.
VI. cysts and benign growths – very rarely, a wisdom tooth that hasn’t cut through the gum develops a cyst (a fluid-filled swelling).

Many of these problems can be treated with treatment such as antibiotics and antiseptic mouthwash, so removing your wisdom teeth is only recommended when other treatment hasn’t worked.